Space Scientist, AST - Planetary Studies

Headquarters, NASA; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 144,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Job summary

NASA's Headquarters in Washington, DC seeks a Space Scientist, AST - Planetary Studies to lead orbital debris mitigation efforts across NASA programs and projects. You will develop standards, oversee mission compliance, coordinate technical assessments, and advise leadership as the agency's expert in debris mitigation.

The role requires a basic education in engineering, physical science, mathematics, life science, or computer science with ABET accreditation considerations. Telework is eligible.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited engineering programs are required for engineering degrees.
• Graduate degree in an AST qualifying field can substitute for the basic education requirement.
• Education credentials must meet ABET/MRA recognition criteria or equivalent accreditation in the U.S. or abroad.

Responsibilities

• Lead oversight of orbital debris mitigation efforts across NASA programs and projects.
• Develop and maintain standards and processes for debris mitigation and mission compliance.
• Advise NASA leadership and coordinate cross-agency collaboration on debris mitigation.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Physical Science/Mathematics/Computer Science

Graduate degree in AST qualifying field

Job description

Space Scientist, AST - Planetary Studies

• Department: National Aeronautics and Space Administration


• Location: Washington, District of Columbia

You will serve as NASA's Orbital Debris Mitigation Officer, leading oversight of orbital debris mitigation efforts by NASA's programs and projects, developing and maintaining standards and processes, overseeing mission compliance, coordinating technical assessments and activities, advising leadership as the agency's expert, and fostering collaboration across NASA and the federal government.

Key Responsibilities

Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.

Requirements & Education

Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following: a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus; and that provided an in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical applications of computer science, including digital computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations.

If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above. Applicants who do not fully meet the basic education requirement may still be considered if they possess exceptional relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience, that clearly demonstrates significant full performance-level achievement directly related to the duties of this position.

Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org.

Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions.

Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S.

education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Headquarters, NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $143913 – $197200/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Top Secret security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-29.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.